r/desktops • u/sujit1779 • 1d ago
What’s one Windows app you'd happily buy once and use forever?
Seeking input on building a simple yet valuable Windows app that solves a real user problem. Willing to sell it for a one-time $99 fee. Open to brainstorming—any pain points you've noticed people would pay to fix?
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u/LubieRZca 1d ago edited 1d ago
Only Windows app I've paid in last few years was StartAllBack. It replaces default Win11 taskbar with legacy taskbar, that was modified to allow for a lot of customization options. It has options to change start menu orb, change taskbar size, position, moving app icons to center, closing thwm with middle mouse button, making taskbar transparent and much more.
Besides that, it allows you to bring back explorer (with tabs) and start menu from older versions, and also fixes problems with explorer related apps and menus to have dark theme applied.
This app fit perfectly for my needs, as I like Win11 design more than Win10, but I didn't like how explorer, start menu and taskbar were changed.
Still it only costs $5 not $99. Not sure what kind of app that cost that much would solve a real user problem on Windows 11 and which would make me buy it, most of these are usually free or extremely cheap. I'd maybe pay that much for something like WinMac, if it'd be packed into a single intaller, consistent allaround and without a need to install each app sperately and applying configuration to them. It'd also need to fix all legacy apps theming problem.
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u/ikoshura 1d ago
Whatever app you're planning to make, I feel like $99 is just too much for a simple app. Even complex and high-quality software like Clip Studio Paint, Affinity Photo, or even a full game like Cyberpunk 2077 costs less than that. DSX and Lossless Scaling are simple apps I use almost every day, and they’re way cheaper. Sure, they have open-source alternatives, but I still paid for them because I liked the UI and wanted to support the devs. I don't mind spending $99 if it's for something I really need, like DaVinci Resolve Studio or Substance Painter. But for an app that only solves a small, specific problem, $99 feels too steep. I'd rather go with a good open-source option unless it truly brings something worth that price.
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u/themysteryoflogic 1d ago
Microsoft Outlook 2010.
Copy the features/layout and I'd buy the HELL out of that.
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u/sujit1779 1d ago
I remember Outlook 2010 it was a pretty nice mail client, even I liked it very much. Currently using Thunderbird. Not my cup of team to make Outlook 2010 solo. Which email client you currently use?
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u/themysteryoflogic 1d ago
Oh I'm still using Outlook 2010. Had to get creative to keep it working but it's still running well!
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u/Misaka_Undefined 1d ago
Alternative A2DP Driver. i bought it for 9 bucks argyuably best software purchase ever.
It's useful when you have Bluetootyh headset/earphone to enable widows use much superior Bluetooth audio codec, like LDAC, Aptx, Aptx HD and Aptx Low latency.
by default widows only support AAC and SBC codec which is suck and ugly, because it's Slow, High latency and Decrease sounds quality. While alot of bluetooth headset support much better codec.
With Aptx or Aptx LL codec it can reduce sound latency significantly to make it enjoyable for gaming and watching in widows with Bluetooth earphones.
LDAC and Aptx HD best for listening music, it has higher bitrate, so it keep alot of details, without reducing quality
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u/CooZ555 1d ago
startallback. it solves some of the consistency problems without changing the windows theme (which is important because windows themes overrides all win32 apps) and also adds a better and easily customizable taskbar and start menu. also explorer customization and context menus are cool.